The Awakening of Love Ch. 03

:: Chapter Three: The Decision::

"Shira, can you hear me?" Ashira's eyes fluttered open with a groan. "Shira?" Ashira screamed as she recognized the voice as masculine.

"Shira, it's Jake, shh, you're going to be okay," Jake soothed, pressing his shirt onto her shoulder. "I've called the police and they're on the way," he murmured.

::4 hours later::

Jake, Crystal and Melinda walked into Ashira's hospital room.

"Shira?" Jake asked as he knocked on the open door. Ashira opened her eyes and gave a half hearted smile.

"Hey," she said sleepily as her friends crowded around her. She reached for Jake's hand. "Thank you," Ashira murmured. Jake squeezed her hand. "You don't need to thank me," Jake told her. "Has Mark been here yet?" he asked. Ashira shook her head and winced at the pain it caused in her shoulder. Jake sighed.

"Who was in the coat room?" Ashira wanted to know.

"I was," Sunshine replied. "Jake was in the back office making orders off of what inventory said was needed and when I told him your car was still in the garage, he came down to investigate," she added.

"Miss Cohen, could you answer a few questions?" a police officer asked from the doorway.

"If you'll let my friends stay," she told him. Unhappily, the officer agreed.

"What do you remember?" the officer wanted to know. Ashira looked at Jake, who reached over and squeezed her hand gently.

"I took the cash drawer and locked it in the safe. When I turned around, there was a man in a ski mask, black I think. He told me he had a gun and took me to the employee tanning room. He pulled my pants down, pushed me onto the bed and raped me," Ashira answered.

"Why wasn't the door locked?" the officer wanted to know.

"It was locked. I locked it right after Ami Sampson left," Ashira protested. The officer wrote down something in his notebook. "What else?" he inquired.

"When he finished, he turned to go and I hit him over the head with the lamp. He was going to rape me again, but I scratched his arms and face and the next thing I remember is Jake was there," Ashira said. The officer turned to Jake.

"What were you doing there?" the officer wanted to know.

"I was doing inventory and ordering more lotion, bulbs, eye wear, and cleaning soaps, just like I do every Friday evening," Jake answered. "I had gone into the employee level in the parking garage and when I noticed Shira's car was still in her spot, I got concerned and went inside to look for her," he added.

"Why were you concerned?" the officer prodded.

"She had a date with her fiancée."

"And his parents! G-d what they must think," Ashira exclaimed.

"Never mind that," Sunshine said. "If they're human, they'll understand," she added. The doctor walked into the room.

"Good, you're awake. I'm Doctor Harrison, officer, I'm afraid you'll have to continue your questions at a later time, I don't need my patient getting worn out, she's had a very traumatic time," he told the officer. The officer scowled but handed Ashira his card.

"Call me if you remember anything else," he told her.

"Officer," Jake said as the officer turned to leave. He turned back to Jake and Jake handed him a plastic bag. "He left this, I found it snagged to Ashira's jacket. It must have gotten tangled when the paramedics were looking her over," he said. The officer looked at the white card with the words Larson's Tan on one side. "That's how our customers log into the beds," he explained. The officer thanked Jake and left the room. "You all have five more minutes then I want you all to leave so Ashira can rest. You may come back tomorrow," Doctor Harrison told them. Sunshine thanked him before he turned to leave.

"You sure you're okay?" Crystal asked. Ashira nodded.

"You did really great Shira, scratching him and hitting him over the head like that. They've got his DNA now. But, why didn't you hit the panic button?" Jake asked.

"He restrained me. My hands were over my head," she replied.

"You're okay now. It's over," Melinda said. Ashira gave a weak smile. Jake pulled out his cell phone. "I'll call Mark for you, okay?" he asked. Ashira nodded and yawned. "Get some sleep kiddo, we'll be back tomorrow and I'll make sure Linds gives you hazardous pay for this," Jake joked. Ashira laughed and shook her head. "Get out of here, will ya?" she asked jokingly.

"Feel better," Jake murmured, before kissing Ashira's cheek lightly. Crystal, Sunshine and Melinda waved as they walked out the door.

-A week later-

"This is Jake," he answered.

"Jake it's me, I can't do this," Ashira said, breathing heavily.

"Shira, talk to me, what's the matter?" Jake asked.

"I can't be here." Jake could hear her hyperventilating through the phone. "Where are you Shira, talk to me," Jake prodded.

"The office," she replied.

"Stay there and calm down, I'll be right there," Jake told her. He checked his computer, only one bed was in use. He scribbled a note for the client and headed for the employee elevator which would take him into the office. "Shira?" he asked, opening the door. "Ashira, calm down, and put that away," Jake said, reaching carefully for Ashira. She jumped and the open blade of the scissor nicked Jake on the hand. He winced, but carefully extracted Ashira's hand from the scissors. "Shira, it's okay," he murmured, pulling her to him. "You're okay, he isn't here."

"He was," Ashira sobbed.

"What?" Jake asked.

"I found this at my station," Ashira said through body wracking sobs. Jake took the note from her.

"C'mon sweetie, let's go get some air," he murmured, pulling Ashira to her feet.

"What's going on?" Lindsey asked. Jake pulled a Kleenex from the box, folded the note up in it and handed it to Lindsey. "Call the police and give them that. I'm taking Ashira outside for some air," he replied, leading Ashira to the patio.

-Later that day-

"Hi Linds," Ashira said, opening her front door.

"You okay?" Lindsey asked. Ashira shook her head.

"I don't know if I will be for awhile, but I know what will help. I want that job in San Diego," Ashira replied.

"What about Mark?" Lindsey asked, knowing full well that Mark didn't want to leave.

"We're taking a break," Ashira answered.

"Jake has already requested to go, will you be all right if he goes with you?" Lindsey asked. Ashira nodded. "He's been my rock," Ashira told her.

"Okay, you guys go on to San Diego, I have Sunshine going too. I'm sure Crystal and Melinda will understand why I'm putting your request ahead of theirs," Lindsey promised.

"Thanks Linds," Ashira said.